2025 Portland Local Election Guide
In 2025 only two City Council seats are up for election: District 3 and one at-large seat. Councilor Regina Phillips, who is currently in her first term as District 3 councilor, is running unopposed. That leaves only the at-large race contested this year. Two candidates are running for that seat: incumbent Councilor Pious Ali and Sam Aborne. In off-cycle years like this it is even more important to show up to vote locally. Turnout is often lower so a few votes go a long way. There are also some State and Local ballot measures that are important but outside of the Urbanist Coalition’s focus areas. Make sure you take the time to vote this year!
Every year we send out a candidate survey to help make a guide to inform people about where candidates stand on urbanist issues like housing, transportation, city projects like the Franklin Street Redesign, and more. This is the first year that candidates have voted on proposals that we have advocated for so we are also including a short voting history for relevant candidates. We also prepared an ideal candidate platform we shared with candidates to inform them of our stances while writing answers. We have evaluated the answers based on our platform, pulled some informative quotes, compiled voting history, and included the raw survey responses at the bottom. Thanks for taking the time to read our guide and thank you to the candidates for responding and getting involved in local government.
At Large City Council
Pious Ali
Councilor Pious Ali is currently in his third term as an at-large City Councilor. In his responses, Pious demonstrated a commitment to complete neighborhoods with enough housing for everyone, and prioritizing walking, biking, and public transit. He brought a lot of background knowledge and specific examples into his responses, especially around City Projects. He spoke about not just making sure that the Franklin Street redesign happens but specifically prioritizing housing, connectivity, and safer, greener streets. Pious voted for all of our proposals to comply with the spirit of LD2003 to allow for more housing in Portland.
“A truly complete neighborhood is one where a child can safely walk to school, a senior can reach a grocery store, and a worker can take reliable public transit to their job. That means connecting land use, housing, and transportation planning so every policy decision we make moves us toward that vision.
…
As a Councilor, I will continue to support bold but practical steps that make Portland more affordable, connected, and welcoming to all, because a stronger, more vibrant city is one that works for everyone.”
Voting Record
✅ LD2003 Amendment 1: Removed a restriction that would have prevented four unit buildings from ever being built on lots that are currently not vacant.
✅ LD2003 Amendment 2: Removing restrictions to allow for flexibility in adding up to four units in one structure or split across multiple structures.
✅LD2003 Amendment 3: Allowed four unit buildings to cover more of their lot to make it more realistic to build them.
✅ LD2003 Amendment 4: Extended a four unit parking minimum exemption that existed on the peninsula city-wide.
Sam Aborne
Sam Aborne is new to public office in Portland. We like his focus on data, comprehensive planning, and removing barriers to housing. However, we felt there was a lack of specific goals, policies, and background in his responses. His support for prioritizing walking, biking, and transit is also somewhat mixed and it is unclear if he supports crucial city projects like the Franklin Street Redesign or the Amtrak Station relocation.
“[T]he barriers to affordable housing need to be addressed. The cost of doing business in Portland is much higher than our neighboring communities – the city's regulatory process, impact fees, lengthy approval process and inclusionary zoning restrictions, etc. I recently read an article about an “Impact Fee Deferral Program” for new residential development that defers numerous city fees and includes available fee waivers for qualifying projects that guarantee a % of housing units as affordable, plus an expedited review.
…
The Housing Committee needs to be asking the questions as to what we can do to build more housing, why more housing has not been built when we have thousands of units approved but not built, housing being converted to condos, and a lack of the promised plan to create affordable housing with benchmarking for progress. They need to be an active driver in accomplishing how to close the housing gap we have in our city, because Everyone Deserves a Home!”
District 3 City Council
Regina Phillips
Councilor Regina Phillips is currently in her first term as the District 3 City Councilor. She is running unopposed so we don’t have an analysis of her responses. During her term Councilor Phillips voted for housing by voting for most of our amendments to comply with the spirit of LD2003 and allow for more housing in Portland. We look forward to her next term as District 3 City Councilor!
Voting Record
✅ LD2003 Amendment 1: Removed a restriction that would have prevented four unit buildings from ever being built on lots that are currently not vacant.
✅ LD2003 Amendment 2: Removing restrictions to allow for flexibility in adding up to four units in one structure or split across multiple structures.
✅ LD2003 Amendment 3: Allowed four unit buildings to cover more of their lot to make it more realistic to build them.
❌ LD2003 Amendment 4: Extended a four unit parking minimum exemption that existed on the peninsula city-wide.
Full Responses
At Large City Council
Pious Ali
Question 1: Does Portland need more housing? If so, how much? What kind? Where should it go? What steps should we take as a city to get it built?
Portland absolutely needs more housing of every type and at every income level. The lack of affordable and available homes has displaced residents and made it harder for people who work here to live here. We must meet this challenge with both urgency and creativity.
We should focus growth where it makes sense, along transit corridors, in walkable neighborhoods, and near schools, services, and jobs. At the same time, we must expand opportunities for co-op, social housing, and apartment buildings in all residential areas, not just commercial zones. These types of homes allow families, seniors, and working people to stay in their communities.
I support removing unnecessary barriers to building, such as the complex permitting process, and expanding incentives for affordable housing. A good example is the projects at Dougherty Fields and others across the city where the city provided the land in some cases.
We must also invest in social and mixed-income housing, led by public-private partnerships, that guarantees long-term affordability. The city should continue to reform zoning to promote density while ensuring equitable growth that includes infrastructure improvements, green spaces, and public transit.
Portland can and should be a place where everyone, teachers, artists, immigrants, young professionals, and retirees, can afford to live and belong.
Question 2: How do you get around Portland (i.e. walking, biking, driving, taking the bus)? Do you support prioritizing modes of transportation other than personal cars even if this comes at the expense of driving speeds or some on-street parking? What steps will you take to prioritize these modes of transportation?
I mostly walk, take the bus, and drive, but I believe every Portlander should have safe, reliable, and affordable options, whether that means walking, biking, or taking the bus. Prioritizing those modes is not anti-car, it is about giving people freedom to choose how they move and building a safer, cleaner, and more connected city.
Yes, I support prioritizing transit, cycling, and pedestrians even when that means slower driving speeds or fewer on-street parking spots. Slower streets save lives, improve local business activity, and make neighborhoods more livable. When I was on the School Board, I led the work to include high school students taking Metro. We should continue to incentivize Metro so more people can use and support it.
We must fully commit to our Vision Zero goals by redesigning high-risk corridors, expanding protected bike lanes, and making every neighborhood accessible with safe sidewalks and crosswalks. We should also work with Greater Portland Metro to increase bus frequency and reliability, making public transit a true alternative to car dependency.
I support more transit-oriented development, with housing and small businesses clustered around transit routes to make it easier for people to live car-light lives. Finally, I hope to work with Metro to invest in better bus shelters, lighting, and snow removal so that taking transit is dignified, practical, and welcoming for everyone.
Question 3: There are a number of major projects ongoing or proposed in Portland. Some of which are driven by the city like Reimagining Franklin Street, or the Forrest Avenue redesign while some are driven by other agencies that require cooperation with the city like relocating Portland’s Amtrak station or Bus Rapid Transit along Brighton Avenue. What projects do you view as most important? Is there anything you want to make sure is included in a particular project? What steps will you take to realize these goals?
The Franklin Street redesign is one of the most important projects in Portland’s future. It represents a chance to right the wrongs of urban renewal, reconnect neighborhoods, add housing, and create safer, greener streets for everyone. I will continue to support the project’s goals of prioritizing housing, pedestrian safety, and multimodal transportation, while expanding Lincoln Park and restoring tree canopy along the corridor
I also support the Forest Avenue redesign and Bus Rapid Transit along Brighton Avenue, which will make public transit faster and more accessible for residents who rely on it most. These projects should include safe bike connections and pedestrian infrastructure that tie neighborhoods together.
Regarding the Amtrak station, I hope the result of the facilitated conversation the committee recommended includes strong transit connectivity and greater neighborhood integration. The new station must be accessible, near housing and services, and contribute to a vibrant mixed-use district, not isolated
I will continue to advocate for strong city coordination with partners like NNEPRA, Metro, neighborhoods, and other stakeholders to ensure these projects meet local priorities for safety, affordability, and environmental sustainability. Each project should bring us closer to a city that is equitable, connected, and climate resilient.
Question 4: The Urbanist Coalition of Portland advocates for transit, cycling, complete neighborhoods, and enough housing for everyone. Is there anything you would like to add that speaks to these goals that was not covered in the other questions?
At the heart of all these goals is equity, building a city that works for everyone, not just those who can afford to live near opportunity. As Portland grows, we must grow with intention, ensuring that new development strengthens communities rather than displacing them.
A truly complete neighborhood is one where a child can safely walk to school, a senior can reach a grocery store, and a worker can take reliable public transit to their job. That means connecting land use, housing, and transportation planning so every policy decision we make moves us toward that vision.
I also believe community voices, especially those from immigrant, working-class, and historically underrepresented residents, must shape how we grow. Too often, policy conversations happen without those most affected by our decisions. Inclusive engagement is not a box to check, it is how we make smarter, more durable policy. That is why I recommended the creation of the Office of Community Engagement, which staff are now in the process of developing
Finally, we cannot separate housing, transportation, and climate action. Every new home built near a bus stop, every protected bike lane, and every investment in affordable housing is also an investment in reducing emissions and building climate resilience. Portland can be a leader in showing that equity and sustainability go hand in hand.
As a Councilor, I will continue to support bold but practical steps that make Portland more affordable, connected, and welcoming to all, because a stronger, more vibrant city is one that works for everyone.
Sam Aborne
Question 1: Does Portland need more housing? If so, how much? What kind? Where should it go? What steps should we take as a city to get it built?
YES, we need more housing – affordable and shelter to permanent housing for the homeless! Everyone deserves a home. Approval of ReCode pretty much determined where zoning and increased density could accommodate more housing.
However, missing is a well thought-out strategy for housing beyond ReCode to answer the questions you ask with data-based analysis, community engagement, and a Housing Committee focus on solutions rather than the current “whack a mole” permit-by-permit approach!
Further, the barriers to affordable housing need to be addressed. The cost of doing business in Portland is much higher than our neighboring communities – the city's regulatory process, impact fees, lengthy approval process and inclusionary zoning restrictions, etc. I recently read an article about an “Impact Fee Deferral Program” for new residential development that defers numerous city fees and includes available fee waivers for qualifying projects that guarantee a % of housing units as affordable, plus an expedited review. A different approach to inclusionary zoning and achieving our outcomes.
Question 2: How do you get around Portland (i.e. walking, biking, driving, taking the bus)? Do you support prioritizing modes of transportation other than personal cars even if this comes at the expense of driving speeds or some on-street parking? What steps will you take to prioritize these modes of transportation?
I get around the city mostly by walking and occasional card ride.
Recent changes to the regulations have pretty much made alternative mode options a priority and required in development proposals. Encouragement for alternative modes is a priority, improved transit and street safety, with a commitment to Vision Zero, no crashes, through intelligently designed systems.
Realistically, a car in Maine is a necessity for many various reasons, such as geography, seasonal conditions, and lack of 'critical mass' which does require residential parking considerations. As you have acknowledged, “increasing density can increase travel time if we are not careful.” Agree that continued mitigation efforts will be important to reduce traffic, some of which were included in ReCode.
Question 3: There are a number of major projects ongoing or proposed in Portland. Some of which are driven by the city like Reimagining Franklin Street, or the Forrest Avenue redesign while some are driven by other agencies that require cooperation with the city like relocating Portland’s Amtrak station or Bus Rapid Transit along Brighton Avenue. What projects do you view as most important? Is there anything you want to make sure is included in a particular project? What steps will you take to realize these goals?
I have been following all the named projects and look forward to a comprehensive analysis, beyond a conceptual one, for all of them. Each has merits that will require community engagement and evidence-based research to determine the public benefit, as well as social and economic benefits for Portland.
Question 4: The Urbanist Coalition of Portland advocates for transit, cycling, complete neighborhoods, and enough housing for everyone. Is there anything you would like to add that speaks to these goals that was not covered in the other questions?
Early in the exploration of my campaign, I met with your group, and we talked about the need for measurable targets and plans for Re-Code.
I advocated as part of the review for understanding the specific goals for housing and our community, speaking out at the public hearings on Re-Code.
I continue to see a lack of a specific plan that talks to goals and targets that let us know Re-Code is succeeding.
I look to our housing committee on the council to provide the goals and guidance.
It is not enough to say we should accelerate housing construction, support non-profit developers, and espouse support for various proposals that have been brought forward by developers.
The Housing Committee needs to be asking the questions as to what we can do to build more housing, why more housing has not been built when we have thousands of units approved but not built, housing being converted to condos, and a lack of the promised plan to create affordable housing with benchmarking for progress. They need to be an active driver in accomplishing how to close the housing gap we have in our city, because Everyone Deserves a Home!
